DY Patil Stadium • Starts 3:00 PM IST
By: Sportspress Senior Cricket Analyst
Date: January 10, 2026
Match: UP Warriorz vs. Gujarat Giants (WPL 2026, Match 2)
Venue: DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai
If you walked into the DY Patil Stadium today, closed your eyes, and just listened, you might feel the usual buzz of the Women’s Premier League. But open your eyes, and you are in for a shock. The sight that greets you is something that will take Indian cricket fans a while to get used to: Meg Lanning, the legendary "Queen of Capitals," walking out for the toss wearing the purple and yellow of the UP Warriorz.
Today isn't just Match 2 of the 2026 WPL season. It is the beginning of a fascinating social experiment in leadership. Can the most successful captain in the history of the women's game take a team that has historically been inconsistent, often chaotic, and turn them into a champion side overnight?
Standing in her way is not a stranger, but a teammate. Ashleigh Gardner, the captain of the Gujarat Giants, knows Lanning better than almost anyone. They have shared dressing rooms, World Cup triumphs, and beers for Australia. But today, under the Navi Mumbai sun, they are generals of opposing armies in a rivalry that is deadlocked at 3-3.
Let’s peel back the layers of this fascinating "Purple vs. Orange" showdown.
CHAPTER 1: The Lanning Effect – A Coup for the Ages
Let’s be honest—nobody saw this coming a few months ago. Meg Lanning was the face of Delhi Capitals. She took them to three consecutive finals. She was the anchor, the leader, the calmness in the chaos. But when DC released her ahead of the mega auction, it sent shockwaves through the cricketing ecosystem.
UP Warriorz didn't just buy a player for ₹1.9 Crore; they bought a winning culture.
For the last three seasons, UP Warriorz has felt like a team with immense potential but zero direction. They had the firepower—Alyssa Healy’s brilliance, Deepti Sharma’s all-round skills, Sophie Ecclestone’s wizardry—but they lacked that ruthless "killer instinct." They would win a game by 50 runs one day and collapse for 80 the next.
Enter Meg Lanning.
Lanning doesn’t do "inconsistent." She demands excellence. Her appointment as captain is a clear signal that the franchise is done with being the "entertaining underdogs." They want the trophy. By pairing Lanning with retaining key Indian stars like Deepti Sharma (via a massive ₹3.2 Crore RTM) and Shweta Sehrawat, UP has built a squad that balances Australian grit with Indian flair.
CHAPTER 2: Gujarat Giants – From Basement Dwellers to Contenders
On the other side of the ring, we have the Gujarat Giants. If you remember WPL 2023, you remember a disaster. They finished bottom of the table. But last year, something clicked. Under Ashleigh Gardner, they finally cracked the code and reached the playoffs for the first time.
This year, they aren't looking to rebuild; they are looking to dominate.
The Giants have arguably the most terrifying batting lineup in the tournament. Beth Mooney is back, and if you watched her in the international circuit recently, you know she is in "beast mode". Add the brute force of Sophie Devine and the elegance of Danni Wyatt-Hodge to the mix, and you have a top order that can chase down 200 on any given day.
Gardner’s leadership style is different from Lanning’s. While Lanning is calculated and tactical, Gardner is instinctive and aggressive. She leads from the front with the ball, often taking the toughest overs herself. Today, her biggest challenge won't be bowling; it will be out-thinking her former skipper.
CHAPTER 3: The Tactical Battleground
The "Aussie Openers" Gambles
One of the most exciting sub-plots of today’s game is the likely opening pair for UP Warriorz. Reports suggest we might see an all-Australian opening stand: Meg Lanning and Phoebe Litchfield.
Litchfield is a generational talent. She is young, she is left-handed, and she hits the ball to parts of the ground that shouldn't be possible. A Lanning-Litchfield partnership is a nightmare for bowlers because you can't settle on a line. Lanning plays classic cricket shots; Litchfield plays reverse sweeps for fun.
Gujarat will likely counter this with Renuka Singh Thakur. The Indian pacer is the best in the world at swinging the new ball back into the right-hander. Her battle against Lanning in the first 3 overs will essentially decide the powerplay.
The Spin Web at DY Patil
The DY Patil Stadium is a batting paradise, but it has a secret weapon: Spin in the afternoon. Since this is a 3:00 PM start, there will be no dew to save the batters. The pitch will be dry, and the ball will grip.
This is where UP Warriorz might have the edge. They have Sophie Ecclestone, the World No. 1 spinner. Alongside her, they have Deepti Sharma and Rajeshwari Gayakwad (wait, Gayakwad is with Gujarat now? No, check the squads—Gayakwad is with Gujarat Giants now!).
Correction: The spin battle is Ecclestone (UP) vs. Gardner & Gayakwad (GG). Watching Gayakwad bowl against her old team (UP Warriorz) adds another layer of spice to this rivalry.
The Finishing Kick
Who has the better "engine room"?
UP Warriorz spent big to bring in Deandra Dottin, the self-proclaimed "World Boss" of women's cricket. If UP needs 40 runs off the last 3 overs, Dottin can get them in 10 balls.
Gujarat counters this with Kanika Ahuja and Ashleigh Gardner, both clean strikers who can clear the long boundaries at DY Patil.
CHAPTER 4: The Venue Factor – Afternoon Heat
Playing in Navi Mumbai in January is pleasant, but a 3:00 PM start changes the dynamics.
- No Dew: Spinners will be effective in both innings.
- Fatigue: The outfield at DY Patil is fast, but it’s big. Running between the wickets in the afternoon heat will test the fitness of players like Deandra Dottin and Sophie Devine.
- Toss Strategy: Usually, captains bowl first in T20s. But in a day game, putting runs on the board and letting the pressure (and the turning ball) do the work might be Lanning’s strategy. Don't be surprised if she wins the toss and bats first—that’s classic Lanning pressure tactics.
CHAPTER 5: The Head-to-Head Deadlock (3-3)
The rivalry stands perfectly balanced at 3 wins each.
This stat is beautiful because it shows there is no "bogey team" here. Both sides have beaten each other comprehensively in the past.
- UP's Strength: They have usually dominated Gujarat through spin.
- Gujarat's Strength: They have usually batted UP out of the game with massive top-order scores.
Today is the tie-breaker. Who takes the lead in the rivalry?
Conclusion: A New Era Begins
As the players take the field, spare a thought for the UP Warriorz fans. They have endured seasons of being "almost there." Today, looking at Meg Lanning setting the field, they will feel something different: Belief.
But Ashleigh Gardner and the Gujarat Giants are not here to be part of Lanning’s coronation. They are here to spoil the party. They have the team, the momentum from last year, and the hunger to prove they are the new giants of Indian cricket.
This isn't just a game; it’s a statement.
Will the "Lanning Era" start with a bang? Or will the Giants crush the Warriorz' new dreams?
Grab your popcorn. The WPL is back, and it’s better than ever.
FAQ: UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants (Match 2)
Q1: Where can I watch the UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants match live?
Ans: In India, you can watch the match live on the Sports18 Network (TV) or stream it for free on the JioCinema / JioHotstar app. The match starts at 3:00 PM / 3:30 PM IST.
Q2: Who is the captain of UP Warriorz in WPL 2026?
Ans: Meg Lanning is the new captain of UP Warriorz. She was bought in the auction for ₹1.9 Crore after being released by Delhi Capitals.
Q3: Who are the key foreign players for Gujarat Giants?
Ans: The key overseas stars for Gujarat are Captain Ashleigh Gardner, Opener Beth Mooney, All-rounder Sophie Devine, and Danni Wyatt-Hodge.
Q4: Why is the Head-to-Head record significant?
Ans: The two teams have played each other 6 times in WPL history, and the record is tied at 3-3. Today's match will decide who takes the lead in this rivalry.
Q5: Is Ellyse Perry playing in this match?
Ans: No, Ellyse Perry plays for RCB, not UP or Gujarat. Furthermore, she is reportedly unavailable for the 2026 season due to personal reasons.
By: Sportspress Senior Cricket Analyst
Date: January 10, 2026
Match: UP Warriorz vs. Gujarat Giants (WPL 2026, Match 2)
Venue: DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai
If you walked into the DY Patil Stadium today, closed your eyes, and just listened, you might feel the usual buzz of the Women’s Premier League. But open your eyes, and you are in for a shock. The sight that greets you is something that will take Indian cricket fans a while to get used to: Meg Lanning, the legendary "Queen of Capitals," walking out for the toss wearing the purple and yellow of the UP Warriorz.
Today isn't just Match 2 of the 2026 WPL season. It is the beginning of a fascinating social experiment in leadership. Can the most successful captain in the history of the women's game take a team that has historically been inconsistent, often chaotic, and turn them into a champion side overnight?
Standing in her way is not a stranger, but a teammate. Ashleigh Gardner, the captain of the Gujarat Giants, knows Lanning better than almost anyone. They have shared dressing rooms, World Cup triumphs, and beers for Australia. But today, under the Navi Mumbai sun, they are generals of opposing armies in a rivalry that is deadlocked at 3-3.
Let’s peel back the layers of this fascinating "Purple vs. Orange" showdown.
CHAPTER 1: The Lanning Effect – A Coup for the Ages
Let’s be honest—nobody saw this coming a few months ago. Meg Lanning was the face of Delhi Capitals. She took them to three consecutive finals. She was the anchor, the leader, the calmness in the chaos. But when DC released her ahead of the mega auction, it sent shockwaves through the cricketing ecosystem.
UP Warriorz didn't just buy a player for ₹1.9 Crore; they bought a winning culture.
For the last three seasons, UP Warriorz has felt like a team with immense potential but zero direction. They had the firepower—Alyssa Healy’s brilliance, Deepti Sharma’s all-round skills, Sophie Ecclestone’s wizardry—but they lacked that ruthless "killer instinct." They would win a game by 50 runs one day and collapse for 80 the next.
Enter Meg Lanning.
Lanning doesn’t do "inconsistent." She demands excellence. Her appointment as captain is a clear signal that the franchise is done with being the "entertaining underdogs." They want the trophy. By pairing Lanning with retaining key Indian stars like Deepti Sharma (via a massive ₹3.2 Crore RTM) and Shweta Sehrawat, UP has built a squad that balances Australian grit with Indian flair.
CHAPTER 2: Gujarat Giants – From Basement Dwellers to Contenders
On the other side of the ring, we have the Gujarat Giants. If you remember WPL 2023, you remember a disaster. They finished bottom of the table. But last year, something clicked. Under Ashleigh Gardner, they finally cracked the code and reached the playoffs for the first time.
This year, they aren't looking to rebuild; they are looking to dominate.
The Giants have arguably the most terrifying batting lineup in the tournament. Beth Mooney is back, and if you watched her in the international circuit recently, you know she is in "beast mode". Add the brute force of Sophie Devine and the elegance of Danni Wyatt-Hodge to the mix, and you have a top order that can chase down 200 on any given day.
Gardner’s leadership style is different from Lanning’s. While Lanning is calculated and tactical, Gardner is instinctive and aggressive. She leads from the front with the ball, often taking the toughest overs herself. Today, her biggest challenge won't be bowling; it will be out-thinking her former skipper.
CHAPTER 3: The Tactical Battleground
The "Aussie Openers" Gambles
One of the most exciting sub-plots of today’s game is the likely opening pair for UP Warriorz. Reports suggest we might see an all-Australian opening stand: Meg Lanning and Phoebe Litchfield.
Litchfield is a generational talent. She is young, she is left-handed, and she hits the ball to parts of the ground that shouldn't be possible. A Lanning-Litchfield partnership is a nightmare for bowlers because you can't settle on a line. Lanning plays classic cricket shots; Litchfield plays reverse sweeps for fun.
Gujarat will likely counter this with Renuka Singh Thakur. The Indian pacer is the best in the world at swinging the new ball back into the right-hander. Her battle against Lanning in the first 3 overs will essentially decide the powerplay.
The Spin Web at DY Patil
The DY Patil Stadium is a batting paradise, but it has a secret weapon: Spin in the afternoon. Since this is a 3:00 PM start, there will be no dew to save the batters. The pitch will be dry, and the ball will grip.
This is where UP Warriorz might have the edge. They have Sophie Ecclestone, the World No. 1 spinner. Alongside her, they have Deepti Sharma and Rajeshwari Gayakwad (wait, Gayakwad is with Gujarat now? No, check the squads—Gayakwad is with Gujarat Giants now!).
Correction: The spin battle is Ecclestone (UP) vs. Gardner & Gayakwad (GG). Watching Gayakwad bowl against her old team (UP Warriorz) adds another layer of spice to this rivalry.
The Finishing Kick
Who has the better "engine room"?
UP Warriorz spent big to bring in Deandra Dottin, the self-proclaimed "World Boss" of women's cricket. If UP needs 40 runs off the last 3 overs, Dottin can get them in 10 balls.
Gujarat counters this with Kanika Ahuja and Ashleigh Gardner, both clean strikers who can clear the long boundaries at DY Patil.
CHAPTER 4: The Venue Factor – Afternoon Heat
Playing in Navi Mumbai in January is pleasant, but a 3:00 PM start changes the dynamics.
- No Dew: Spinners will be effective in both innings.
- Fatigue: The outfield at DY Patil is fast, but it’s big. Running between the wickets in the afternoon heat will test the fitness of players like Deandra Dottin and Sophie Devine.
- Toss Strategy: Usually, captains bowl first in T20s. But in a day game, putting runs on the board and letting the pressure (and the turning ball) do the work might be Lanning’s strategy. Don't be surprised if she wins the toss and bats first—that’s classic Lanning pressure tactics.
CHAPTER 5: The Head-to-Head Deadlock (3-3)
The rivalry stands perfectly balanced at 3 wins each.
This stat is beautiful because it shows there is no "bogey team" here. Both sides have beaten each other comprehensively in the past.
- UP's Strength: They have usually dominated Gujarat through spin.
- Gujarat's Strength: They have usually batted UP out of the game with massive top-order scores.
Today is the tie-breaker. Who takes the lead in the rivalry?
Conclusion: A New Era Begins
As the players take the field, spare a thought for the UP Warriorz fans. They have endured seasons of being "almost there." Today, looking at Meg Lanning setting the field, they will feel something different: Belief.
But Ashleigh Gardner and the Gujarat Giants are not here to be part of Lanning’s coronation. They are here to spoil the party. They have the team, the momentum from last year, and the hunger to prove they are the new giants of Indian cricket.
This isn't just a game; it’s a statement.
Will the "Lanning Era" start with a bang? Or will the Giants crush the Warriorz' new dreams?
Grab your popcorn. The WPL is back, and it’s better than ever.
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FAQ: UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants (Match 2)
Q1: Where can I watch the UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants match live?
Ans: In India, you can watch the match live on the Sports18 Network (TV) or stream it for free on the JioCinema / JioHotstar app. The match starts at 3:00 PM / 3:30 PM IST.
Q2: Who is the captain of UP Warriorz in WPL 2026?
Ans: Meg Lanning is the new captain of UP Warriorz. She was bought in the auction for ₹1.9 Crore after being released by Delhi Capitals.
Q3: Who are the key foreign players for Gujarat Giants?
Ans: The key overseas stars for Gujarat are Captain Ashleigh Gardner, Opener Beth Mooney, All-rounder Sophie Devine, and Danni Wyatt-Hodge.
Q4: Why is the Head-to-Head record significant?
Ans: The two teams have played each other 6 times in WPL history, and the record is tied at 3-3. Today's match will decide who takes the lead in this rivalry.
Q5: Is Ellyse Perry playing in this match?
Ans: No, Ellyse Perry plays for RCB, not UP or Gujarat. Furthermore, she is reportedly unavailable for the 2026 season due to personal reasons.
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